The Kwara State chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA Kwara) on Thursday, 21 March, joined the global literary community to celebrate the 2024 World Poetry Day.
Members and friends of ANA Kwara as well as staff members and students of St. Joseph Centenary Catholic College, Ilorin, Kwara State present at the event with the theme “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants” were enjoined to use poetry as a tool for creating the positive change they want to see in Nigeria.
In her Keynote Address, a former Vice-chairman of ANA Kwara, author and writer, Dr. Betty Ige discussed the importance of poetry and the essence of World Poetry Day with recourse to three questions: What is the point of World Poetry Day?; why is poetry important to us today?; and how can we bring more poetry into our lives today?
She recollected that the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization [UNESCO] first adopted 21 March as World Poetry Day during its 30th General Conference in Paris in 1999, with the aim of supporting linguistic diversity through poetic expression and increasing the opportunities for endangered languages to be heard.
Dr. Ige impressed on the students the value of using poetry as a vehicle to inspire change, to expand social relationships and as a way to raise awareness about important causes and bring attention to issues that matter to people in the society.
The president of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Dr. Usman Akanbi who graced the occasion as Special Guest and fielded several thought-provoking questions from the audience articulated the creative force of writers in Nigeria and the global community in general.
During the question and answer segment, Dr. Akanbi noted that one of the reasons World poetry Day is celebrated remains the need to keep the fire of poetry aflame wherever writers/poets find themselves.
He also launched into a reflective excursion into the significant work ANA as the umbrella body for writers in Nigeria is doing through its various programs, projects and writers’ activities both at chapter and national levels.
The ANA president called on the government and its institutions, public and private educational institutions, corporate bodies, non-governmental organizations as well as individuals to make conscious effort and specific contributions to the advancement of contemporary Nigerian literature.
The presentation of books coordinated by the Vice-chairman of ANAKwara, Dr. Reuben Akano witnessed the donation of works written and published by ANA Kwara members.
Publications presented to the students and the school included poetry collections, English Language textbooks, Drama texts and inspirational books.
In his response, the representative of the Management and Staff of St. Joseph Centenary Catholic College expressed gratitude to the Association for making his school the venue of its 2024 World Poetry Day celebration.
He said the event had not only added to the audience members’ repertoire of knowledge but also increased the motivation for literary output particularly on the part of the students.
Some members of ANAKwara present on the occasion who also interacted with the students through comments and answers to questions included a former State chairman and ex-National PRO, Col. Oladele Babajamu; ANAKwara Secretary, Dr. Damilare Atolagbe; and ANAKwara Welfare Secretary, Mr. Al-Amin El-Nasir; among other distinguished ladies and gentlemen.
More photos from the event:
